A smoothie that doesn’t contain banana? Is this real life? Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to include bananas in every smoothie you make. Bananas add creaminess to smoothies, but they aren’t necessary to create a delicious and exciting concoction. This cranberry apple pecan smoothie, for example, if full of antioxidants, minerals, fruity flavors, and gentle spices that embody the fall season.

Smoothies are great to enjoy no matter what season it is. Fall provides an excellent selection of spices, fruits, vegetables, and more, making it easy to concoct new smoothie recipes. This fall smoothie uses fresh cranberries, which are only available in grocery stores for a limited time. They are excellent sources of antioxidants and provide calcium, potassium, fiber, and vitamins C and E. Some studies suggest that the antioxidant activity in cranberries positively affects 17 types of cancer, including lung, brain, breast, and cervical cancers. Researchers need more evidence to fully understand the relationship between cranberries and cancer prevention, though.

Now, cranberries aren’t the only seasonal start of this fall smoothie. Apples are readily available in the fall, with many varieties showing up at local grocery stores. We recommend Honeycrisp apples for this smoothie because they offer a juicy yet crisp sweetness. Additionally, this smoothie contains raw pecans, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger, so you’ll get your daily dose of fall, even more so than drinking a pumpkin spice latte!